About Us

Bigfish Gear is a fishing apparel and graphic design company based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. The company was born through the need for effective, cool, sun protective shirts that also look great. The directors of “Bigfish” are very avid anglers and have generated these shirts due to their interest in fishing and the outdoors. We all compete in regular fishing tournaments across Australia and when not at work are out fishing in their shirts. We can honestly state these are the best fishing shirts you’ll wear. If you would like to hear from some of our customers please see our testimonials page.

All our shirts are made from the highest quality, Australian knitted polyester. This “sports dry” material is designed for the tropics (we’d know, they’ve been extensively tested up here) and is incredibly soft to feel, unbelievably cool, durable, UPF 50, and lightweight. The material is much cooler than cotton, will not fade or shrink like cotton, does not require ironing and is far more durable. Quite often the difference between a great looking shirt and a great wearing shirt is the quality of fabric and we proudly stand by (or in) ours. We produce a range of shirts that not only look great, but our customers want to wear for their comfort, style and of course sun protection.

New to our extenisve range is “FISH HEADZ”, a pull over style sun protective headwear that’s great for sun and wind whilst being light enough to breath through. To complement this we have generated a range of WIDE BRIM HATS and CAPS in many prints. Also adding to the collection are JUMPERS, SINGLETS, BOAT WRAPS, REPEL (Insect repellent shirts) and many more accessories.

All our products (except hats and caps), from concept and design through printing to final seaming are produced right here in Australia.

What makes Bigfish Clothing so good?

Ultra cool, designed in the tropics to be lightweight, soft and comfortable.

“No feel” – The dye actually becomes part of the fabric and does not inhibit the breathing qualities of the material, no matter what the colour.

BFMaxflow is an Australian knitted material that is breathable, quick drying fabric won’t slow down an active outdoor lifestyle like a heavy, wet, clammy cotton shirt, yet it provides over 5 times the UPF protection.

Won’t wash off like sunscreen. Easy to use-reduces the hassle and uncertainty of applying body-covering sunscreen.

Quick drying, won’t fade or break down – great in all weathers! Bright colors make your child easy to spot!

“Clean and Green” – No harsh chemicals used in the printing or pressing process.

The softest, coolest shirts you will wear...

“BF MaxflowTM” is an Australian knitted material and is incredibly cool, the inner knit is tight and smooth whilst the outer knit is designed to “wick” away perspiration. The gentlest breeze will immediately give you an “air conditioned” effect. It dries exceptionally quick whilst retaining it’s “breath ability”. Not only is the material soft and cool, it’s incredibly durable. Unlike cotton that breaks down as you wash it, 100% polyester is far more durable and will retain it’s UPF factor for much, much longer.

You sure they're not hot?

This is probably the most frequently asked question. The answer is no, they are certainly not hot. In fact, the fabric was originally designed for Australia’s blistering heat. The material is similar to that worn by long-distance bike riders and other athletes. While they cover more of the body, they are made of a relatively tightly-woven, lightweight and cool material. Even the American Academy of Dermatology states that “tightly-woven clothing reflects heat and helps to keep you feeling cool.”

Sizing

Bigfish Gear “shirts” are very “Australian” in size, in easy terms if you’re normally a “large” then purchase a “large”. Our shirts are available from a childs size 2 through to 5XL, although the each print in the retail range has been limited a little, please see each shirt in the range for size availability. Our kids sizes generally work on their ages but as we all know kids vary greatly. If you happen to purchase the wrong size please see the EXCHANGE POLICY section of the FAQ’s, return it to us and we’ll send you the next size, no problems at all.

To get the correct size please refer to the SIZING tab on each print, follow the measuring instructions and you’ll guarantee the shirt that arrives will fit.

Cotton versus Polyester... in simple terms?

Cotton is generally a single weave material (1 layer) that needs to be woven quite tightly to give the best UPF protection. In case you don’t know a tight weave therefore means restricted airflow and generally a hotter fabric to wear. Cotton is also a natural fibre and does not hold colour very well, the more you wash it the more it fades, this is an inherent property in cotton. Our polyester fabric on the other hand is a double weave fabric with a smooth, soft underside and a “holey” appearance on the outer side. This promotes the “wicking” process to take the perspiration away and cool your body at the same time. 100% polyester is incredibly durable and stable. Polyester will not break down in anywhere near the time that cotton does, providing much longer UPF protection. Through the Dye Sublimation process the ink actually becomes part of the fibres and will not wash out over time.

What is UPF / SPF Sun Protective Clothing?

Sun Protective Clothing is specifically designed to block the sun’s harmful UV radiation from damaging the skin (widely known as UVA/UVB/UVC rays). Exposure to such UV radiation can not only cause sunburn, but also long lasting damage resulting in premature skin aging and/or skin cancer. To help the consumer better determine the protection a garment has, a UPF rating system has been developed. Shoppers should only consider buying a UV garment that as a UPF rating (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and moreover, from a reputable company and/or manufacturer that promotes the UPF rating system. This ensures that they are getting only the very best protection from their UV sun protective apparel item.

Below is the Australian/New Zealand Standard for Sun Protective Clothing which is now considered the industry standard in rating such sun protective clothing:

UPF Ratings and Protective Categories

UPF Rating

Protection Category

% UV radiation blocked

UPF 15 - 24

Good

93.3 - 95.9

UPF 25 - 39

Very Good

96.0 - 97.4

UPF 40 and over

Excellent

97.5 or more

UPF 50+

Considered the Ultimate in UV Sun Protection

UPF Rating System

The Australian Government, a leader in UV research for over two decades, has stated that, “Over-exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can cause sunburn, skin damage and an increased risk of developing skin cancer. “Clothing provides one of the most convenient forms of protection against UVR but not all garments offer sufficient sun protection.“

Rest assure that Bigfish’s products and brands have been tested and rated by various independent laboratories for their sun protective quality across both UVA and UVB spectrum. Moreover, these standards follow rigorous testing methods that ensure UV rating accuracy. The standard by which Bigfish’s fabric is tested by is: Australian/New Zealand Standard 4399

SPF is for Sunscreen - UPF is for Clothing

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Some manufacturers and even some websites describe their clothing as SPF protective. However, as we all know, SPF describes a sunscreen’s protectiveness.

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. To help the consumer better determine the protection a garment has, a UPF rating system has been developed. Shoppers should only consider buying a UV garment that as a UPF rating (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and moreover, from a reputable company and/or manufacturer that promotes the UPF rating system. This ensures that they are getting only the very best protection from their UV sun protective apparel item.

Why can't I just use a t-shirt?

While a very heavy, dark, tightly-woven T-shirt may offer sun protection, most summer-weight cotton T-shirts offer as little as UPF 10 dry and lose 50% of their SPF when wet. The minimum SPF recommended by the American Cancer Society and others is 15. (The protective qualities of sunscreen are rated by the Sun Protective Factor-SPF-which indicates the length of time someone can spend outdoors without burning. When using a 15 SPF lotion, a person who normally burns after 20 minutes can tolerate 15 times 20 minutes(300 minutes) without burning.) In addition, our sun protective wear is designed for outdoor wear – it’s quick drying and fits well, unlike a wet clammy T-shirt that hangs and may weigh you down in the water.

Totally clean and green

You can’t get a more green or clean printing process than dye sublimation. We use only water-based dyes that are so environmentally friendly they can be safely poured down the sink. Traditional screen-printing involves large amounts of wasted water, first to expose the screen by washing away the emulsion, and then to clean the screen of excess inks.

Digital Quality

Digital technology, being computer driven and controlled, ensures that just one item can be printed successfully and economically. It also means vibrant, sharp, reliable and repeatable print results.

We use the latest large-format equipment capable of printing to 158 cm wide by up to 120 metres long. The original image to be reproduced may consist of flat colours (or vector art as used in Illustrator®) or a continuous tone image such as a photograph (also known as bitmap or raster images, as used in Photoshop®) or a combination of both image types.

All cutting, sewing, pattern making and grading and packing is competed in Australia and hand checked in-house to guarantee quality and fast service.

How digital Dye-sublimation works

Digital dye-sublimation is the process by which water-based dyes (or inks) are printed onto a release paper, and then transferred onto a substrate, or surface. These can range from fabrics to ceramics, metals, timber, leather and many other materials – as long as they are treated with a polymer, or acrylic coating.

Sublimation simply means a change from a solid to gaseous state and back to a solid without becoming a liquid. Thus the dye particles migrate from the paper as a gas, to bond with a polymer – the fabric or other material- and become solid again.

The transfer is affected using high heat (205°C) and pressure thus guaranteeing that the image penetrates and becomes an integral part of the fabric.

Melita McKinnon - Northern Territory

Hi Josh,

Thank you for this brilliant innovation!! The Repel shirts are an absolute god send. These shirts not only keep the mozzies off the arms and torso but also reduce the number of bugs on the whole body. I’ve done many trips to Dundee wearing my regular Bigfish shirts and have been smashed by mozzies but ever since I’ve been wearing the Repel shirts this hasn’t been a problem.

I’m not sure if it’s just my bias but the Repel shirts also feel softer than the regular Bigfish shirts (of which I own a few).

Scott Roberts, ACT

Hi Bigfish, here’s a few fish from our recent trip. The helifishing on the floodplain was stinking hot and we had to fish in the shade. The mozzies liked the shade too and the other 2 were getting bitten like crazy, even the pilot was getting bitten – whilst I wasn’t. Love the shirt! reckon they would have bought some too once we got back to town.

Cameron Woods, Northern Territory

I was out fishing with me mates at Gun Point on the full moon, the mozzies were real thick. The other 6 boys wanted to go home as they were getting eaten alive through their shirt and I was laughing at them as I wasn’t getting touched. The shirt really worked and the next day they all lined up at Craig’s Fishing Warehouse to buy one each.

Bill Sawynok - Infofish Australia

Hi Josh, just wanted to let your know the bug repellant shirt has already done the job a few times for me, it really works well. At least i didn’t get hammered in the areas around the shirt.

Kind Regards, Bill

Wendy and Wayne Baker

“Dear Josh and Nat,

We have received the new Flathead fishing shirts today and they look absolutely wonderful. Thank you for your prompt service. Don’t think they’ll be the last we’ll buy!”

Jay

“Hi Natalie

Thanks heaps for the quick delivery…I already have 1 (Tackleworld) and cant see myself fishing in anything else, cool, dry anddurable…luv it, cant wait to see the next available Barra designs!

Many thanks”

David Green – Fishing World Magazine

“After wearing a couple of these shirts out fishing for a few years now, I must admit they are the best sun protection shirts I’ve ever worn. They really are an outstanding product.”

Mandi Van Praagh

“Hi Josh,

Hope all is well. Just a quick note to let you know that the Murray Cod fishing shirt, and the Brown Trout fishing shirt, arrived here on Friday. They are a perfect fit for our son and they look amazing. He thinks they are awesome, as do we. Thanks so much for all your help with these – we appreciate it very much. We will be sure to recommend Big Fish Graphics NT to others.

Have a really great christmas, and best regards”

Melissa Lombardo

“Hi Natalie,

We received the shirts, they are great!! Thanks for your service, we will definitely be purchasing again.”

Tammy

“Hi Josh and Natalie

Wow I just received the shirt I ordered and all I can say is WOW it is perfect, my hubby is going to love it. I will be telling all his fishing mates where they can get one as well. Thankyou so much and Merry Xmas to you both”

Adrian - Pedders Suspension - Port Adelaide

“Josh,

Just a quick note to say thanks.

We received the shirts yesterday, are extremely impressed with both the quality and the service that we received from you.

Thanks again, and we will be dealing with you again in the future.”

Jason Hornhardt - Karratha - Team Wet Dreams

“Hi Josh,

Shirts have arrived and they look fantastic, I’m extremely happy with the end result.

A few people have seen them also and the general response is how fantastic they look and the quality of the shirt. You have enhanced the drawing to make it look even better on the shirt than the print, even my mum (who hates the name) likes the shirts and is happy she got one to wear (that’s a hard tick to get).

All in all extremely happy and I’m sure you’ll get more business from down here the more people get to see the results.”

Dave Lyon

“Hi Josh,

I’m just emailing to say I have received the larger size shirt and I would like to thank you for changing it for me. Your products and services and second not none and I will make sure to tell anybody that Is interested in buying that I highly recommend your online store and products .. Thank you”

Dave Lyon

“Hi Josh,

I’m just emailing to say I have received the larger size shirt and I would like to thank you for changing it for me. Your products and services and second not none and I will make sure to tell anybody that Is interested in buying that I highly recommend your online store and products .. Thank you”

P. Blunt

“Would just like to send a note to your company for the fun the two men in our house had over xmas wearing their fishing shirts purchased from your company. The effeciency from ordering and receiving my orders was something that we have past on to many, many people that commented on the shirts at Forster on our xmas vacation.My husband and son, who by chance own a skeeter boat, had that many people comment and ask to where the shirts came from. They really did look like the professional fishing men that they thought they were. Also too, the fishing was fantastic this year, maybe it was the shirts. Also if you ever get a print for a whiting design please send me an email. Thankyou again.”

Roslyn Ost

“Hi Josh and Natalie, I purchased 2 flathead shirts for my son and husband (team flatty) for Christmas and they absolutely love them. We have decided to buy each of my husbands mates one for their birthdays as they are also impressed by them….Promise more orders to come!!! Well done on a fantastic Australian product.”

Johanna Meyer

“Hi Natalie

Thank you for the excellent service that you provided. Your product is the best quality I love it. The printing on your shirts is out standing people can not stop looking.

You people are the best

Best regards”

Cassie Pavey

“Hi Natalie, I just wanted to say a MASSIVE thank-you for the quick delivery of my order. The shirts look amazing! I am so happy that I purchased them through you, and I look forward to making many more purchases! 🙂

Kindest Regards”

Elisha Watson - Nambour

“We got our shirts and hats today, thank u so much 4 the great service and we love the stuff”

Matt Bryant I McConnell Dowell - Cape Lambert Tug Harbour Project

“Hi Josh,

Just a quick note to say thanks for getting the team to pull out all stops and get the shirts to us in the required time frame, it was much appreciated.

Also, I was quite impressed with how the shirts cam up, well done to your team on providing a great design.

The shirts have been well received by those who we have provided them to, being something a little different from the run of the mill gifts us contractors typically give out.

They are really outstanding…….very happy with them!!! Thank you! Delivery time from Australia to Africa – really good. No hassles at all with customs or anything. Toll Group very good and service excellent. Your new “Bigfish Tigerfish” shirts are really fantastic too ….makes me wish I had just gone with my original design ….but hey, as long as my team mates are all happy.